i traded a potential six-figure annual salary for a missionary’s purse

I think the hardest thing I’ve ever done was choosing not to attend law school after having been accepted. Neither of my parents attended postsecondary institutions, so the fact that I was getting an undergrad degree was a big deal – and then going on to perhaps land an LL.B would be an even bigger source of joy and pride for them. That had been my goal and theirs since I was about 12-years-old … but when I turned 21, I recognized the career path held no passion for me.

So what did I choose to do instead? I went to theological seminary. Yup. I traded a potential six-figure annual salary for a missionary’s purse.

I ended up being more worked up about the entire transition than my parents did – they were and continue to be the most encouraging, supportive and loving people that a guy could grow up with … and I hope that every day I am still making them proud.